Databent

Databent refers to the intentional corruption or alteration of digital data for artistic or experimental purposes. This process involves manipulating binary code, file structures, or audio and video streams in ways that are not part of the original design or intended use of the data. The resulting output can be visually or aurally distorted, abstract, or entirely unpredictable, often creating unique and emergent aesthetic qualities.

The practice of databending draws inspiration from early forms of glitch art and experimental media. Tools used for databending can range from simple text editors and hex editors to more specialized software designed to manipulate specific file formats. Artists and enthusiasts might alter image files to produce surreal landscapes, modify audio files to create distorted soundscapes, or corrupt video files to generate abstract visual patterns. The underlying principle is to explore the inherent structure of digital information and discover unexpected results through deliberate manipulation.

Databending is distinct from accidental data corruption, which is typically considered an error to be fixed. In databending, the "errors" are the desired outcome. The process can be seen as a form of digital archaeology or deconstruction, revealing hidden aspects of digital media and challenging conventional notions of data integrity and artistic creation. It often involves a degree of chance, as the exact outcome of a databending process can be difficult to predict with certainty, adding an element of surprise to the creative exploration.